SHABANIE Mine and FC Platinum piled on the pressure on log leaders Highlanders after both recorded 2-1 wins against Monomotapa and Blue Rangers respectively in Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches played on Sunday.
Highlanders drew 0-0 against Motor Action on Saturday and have 24 points while the two Zvishavane-based sides moved to 21 points each.
Rangers are winless after 11 matches, having recorded eight losses and three draw to anchor the standings.
At Gwanzura Stadium, Mario Mabhacho gave Blue Rangers the lead in the 25th minute after catching the Platinum back four flatfooted, running through the slice the ball past advancing goalkeeper Francis Tizayi.
But Daniel Vheremu also sliced home an Ali Sadiki free kick in the 68th minute before substitute Mitchelle Katsvairo pounced on a rebound after a Joel Ngodzo cracker had been spilled by goalkeeper Moses Nelson in the 89h minute.
Rangers had a ball cleared off the line three minutes into injury time and protested alleging the ball had crossed the line before captain Zephaniah Ngodzo cleared the ball.
After the match, Rangers coach Misheck Chidzambwa and his charges accosted the referee Nkanyiso Zulu seeking an explanation for the ‘disallowed goal’.
Platinum coach Rahman Gumbo admitted his charges were not fluid saying: “We did not play well. Rangers had the better chances, but we got those two and used them.”
The match also saw Platinum striker Donald Ngoma making an appearance as a second half substitute-his first game of the season in the league after an ankle fracture in February and he looked far off full fitness.
His presence though made the difference as Platinum got the equalizer after he had been brought down.
At Maglas, the country’s leading scorer Nelson Mazivisa gave the hosts the lead after the break and Ray Sibanda made it 2-0 in the 70th minute before Monoz pulled one back through Morgan Munkombwe three minutes from time.
Hardbody beat Quelaton 1-0 at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo with veteran striker Malvern Nyakabangwe scoring the winner.
Premier Soccer League Results
Saturday: Black Mambas 0-1 Harare City; Motor Action 0-0 Highlanders; Chicken Inn 2-1 Hwange
Sunday Fixtures: Gunners 1-2 Dynamos (Larfarge); Quelaton 0-1 Hardbody (Luveve); Shabanie Mine 2-1 Monomotapa (Maglas); Blue Rangers 1-2 FC Platinum (Gwanzura), CAPS United 1-1 Buffaloes (National Sports Stadium)